Athletic Training

What is Athletic Training?

Here are a few of the most often asked questions from parents, student-athletes, and the general public in regards to the profession of Athletic Training. If you have additional questions or would like more information, please visit the following links:

A: Athletic Training is practiced by athletic trainers (AT’s), health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to optimize activity and participation of patients and clients across age and care continuums. Athletic Training encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and intervention of emergency, acute and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations, and disabilities. AT’s work under the direction of physicians, as prescribed by state licensure statutes. Athletic Training has been recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) as an allied health care profession since 1990.

Q: What is an Athletic Trainer?

A: An Athletic Trainer is a certified health care professional who practices in the field of sports medicine. Athletic Trainers provide medical services to all types of people-not just athletes participating in sports-and do not train people as personal or fitness trainers do. There are approximately 40,000 AT’s practicing nationally.

Q: Do you have to go to school to be an Athletic Trainer?

A: Yes. To become an Athletic Trainer one must have a degree from an accredited professional level education program and then sit for and pass the Board of Certification (BOC) examination. Each state then has their own regulatory agencies that control the practice of athletic training in their state. Most states (39), including Ohio, requires an Athletic Trainer to obtain a license in order to practice in that state.

Q: What Ohio schools have Athletic Training Education Programs?

A: The following schools are accredited Professional (entry level) institutions:

Ashland University (Bachelor)

Baldwin Wallace University (Bachelor)

Bowling Green State University (Bachelor)

Capital University (Bachelor)

Cedarville University (Bachelor)

Defiance College (Bachelor)

Heidelberg University (Bachelor)

Kent State University (Bachelor)

Marietta College (Bachelor)

Miami University (Bachelor)

Mount St. Joseph University (Masters)

Muskingum University (Bachelor)

Ohio Northern University (Bachelor)

Ohio University (Masters)

Otterbein University (Bachelor)

Shawnee State University (Bachelor)

The Ohio State University (Bachelor)

The University of Findlay (Masters)

University of Akron (Bachelor)

University of Cincinnati (Masters)

University of Mount Union (Bachelor)

University of Toledo (Bachelor)

Wilmington College (Masters)

Wright State University (Bachelor)

Xavier University (Masters)

Youngstown State University (Masters)

Q: What type of classes will I have to take in college?

A: The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) oversees the curriculum standards of all Professional (entry level) and Post-Professional institutions. Content areas include:

*Pathology of Injuries and Illnesses

*Orthopedic Clinical Examination and Assessment

*Risk Management and Injury Prevention

*Human Anatomy

*Therapeutic Modalities

*Conditioning and Rehabilitative Exercises

*Pharmacology and Psychosocial Intervention and Referral

*Nutritional Aspects of Injury and Illness

*Healthcare Administration

*Professional Development and Responsibility

Q: What type of job can I get as an Athletic Trainer?

A: AT’s treat a broad population, from amateur and professional athletes to typical patients in need of orthopedic rehabilitative care. Services rendered by the athletic trainer take place in a wide variety of settings and venues. They may include:
Schools (K-12, college/university)

Outpatient Rehab Clinics

Hospitals

Physician offices

Community facilities

Workplace Health (Commercial/Govt.)

Military Installations

Professional Sports organization (NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, NASCAR)

Concussion Care Protocol at Youngstown City Schools

Youngstown City School District has developed a unified approach to the care of student-athletes when a diagnosis of concussion has been made by a physician. The components of the post-concussion program include
*Removal from competition
*Observation for Signs of Neurologic Deterioration
*Physical and Neurocognitive Rest
*Somatic Symptoms
*Return to Play Protocol
In the documents below, you can learn about the process our medical staff utilizes to strengthen our unified management of concussions to ensure a safe recovery for the student-athletes at Youngstown City Schools.